The Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), has handed over 29 newly renovated health facilities to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to strengthen maternal and child healthcare delivery in northern Ghana.
The symbolic handover ceremony, which took place at the Nangodi Health Centre in the Upper East Region, marked the official commissioning of all the facilities located across 10 districts in the Upper East, Northern, Savannah and North East regions.
Six health facilities in the Upper East Region, including Nangodi Health Centre, Pelungu Health care, and the Zogabre Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in the Nabdam District, and three other health facilities at Datuko, Wakii and Tenzuk in the Talensi District, benefited from the initiative.
Similar works had been undertaken in nine facilities in the Northern Region, six in Savannah, and eight in the North East Region.
The refurbishment of these facilities included improvements such as the replacement of roofs, ceilings, tiles, installation of disability walkways, changing of doors, as well as rewiring, office demarcation, and construction of pavilions, among other upgrades.
HOPE-MCH Project
The renovation formed part of the Holistic Opportunities for Positive Engagement in Maternal and Child Health (HOPE-MCH) project, an initiative aimed at enhancing access to inclusive and quality health care for women, children and underserved communities being funded by the LDS.
The renovated Nangodi Health Centre
The Head of Programmes for CRS, Dr Francis Gumah, speaking at the ceremony, indicated that the renovation of the health facilities was intended to enhance access to care, improve patient safety, and elevate the overall quality of healthcare delivery in these regions.
He emphasised that over 300 health workers have also been trained in key areas such as emergency obstetric and newborn care, as well as in globally recognised programmes such as Helping Mothers Survive and Helping Babies Breathe.
The Head of Midwifery at the Ministry of Health, Estella Opoku, encouraged staff of the Nangodi Health Centre and other beneficiary facilities to maintain a high level of professionalism, empathy and accountability in delivering services to their communities.
She described the facilities as a “place of healing and service” and thanked CRS and its partners for their commitment in support of maternal health care in the country.
The Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Services (GHS), Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, said the HOPE-MCH initiative was aligned with the GHS's goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
He stated that GHS was currently implementing a “network of practice” strategy, where health centres serve as hubs of surrounding CHPS compounds, especially in districts such as Nabdam that lack full district hospitals.
“The renovated Nangodi Health Centre is now a model hub within the sub-district network and will ease pressure on higher-level facilities,” he said.
Appreciation
The District Chief Executive of the Nabdam District, Francis Yenwoma Tobig noted that CRS had contributed to health, education and livelihoods improvement since 2003 and assured stakeholders that the district assembly and community members would take full responsibility for maintaining the facility and ensuring that it serves the health needs of the people.
The Chief of Kongo, Naab Sapaat Namalteng, who represented the traditional authority of the Nangodi Traditional Area, expressed appreciation to CRS and its donors for supporting the district over the years and pledged to safeguard the facility for the benefit of the people.
